If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you undoubtedly have a lot on your plate. The wreck was probably a traumatic experience, and you may have hospital stays and mechanic visits to get through. However, once the initial stress subsides, there are still things you need to watch out for.
Watch Out After a Car Accident
Hidden Injuries
The first thing you need to watch out for following your car accident is hidden injuries. Being in an auto accident is rough on your body. Many wounds are noticeable immediately, such as bruises, scrapes, and broken bones. Even if you don’t think you got injured in your wreck, you should seek medical treatment. There could be internal damage that you’re not feeling, or the shock of the accident could be masking pain from broken bones.
One of the most common forms of hidden injuries following a car accident is head trauma. Because an auto wreck swings your head around the vehicle at such high speeds, there’s a very high risk for whiplash and concussion. In the weeks following your accident, check yourself for nausea, prolonged headache, and loss of coordination. These symptoms all point toward a latent head injury that doctors may have missed. If you’re worried about missing work or paying hospital bills, an injury attorney may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Faulty Car Safety
Another thing you may want to watch for following your accident is faulty car safety. Depending on the severity of the wreck, you may need to get parts of your vehicle replaced or serviced. When you first see a mechanic following your accident, there are a few things you should automatically have them check. The first safety check is airbags. If your airbags partially or fully deployed, you’ll need them replaced before you can drive your vehicle again.
Along with checking the airbags, you should also get your power steering and brake systems inspected. Getting in an accident takes a toll on both you and your car. Depending on how you wrecked, your steering system may need to be recalibrated. If the frame of your car was damaged at all, you could see issues down the line with turns and stops. Rather than putting yourself in further danger, get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible after your accident.
Unexpected Bills
Finally, you may receive some unexpected bills in the weeks following your accident. If there was another person involved in the wreck, their insurance could bill you or your insurance provider for some of their expenses. While many of these costs are automatically covered by your car insurance policy, you may have to hire a personal injury attorney to absolve yourself of the rest. If you weren’t at fault for the accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for the other party’s bills. Any unexpected invoices you receive shouldn’t be a cause for panic. Talk to an attorney or your insurance agent, and you’ll be able to figure everything out.
Overall, recovering from a car accident is stressful. By watching for these three things, you can avoid unnecessary surprises in the months following your wreck.
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